Microsoft ousted, 23,000 Linux PCs For Filipino Schools

“Providing high school students with PCs is seen as a first step to preparing them for a technology-literate future, but in the Philippines many schools cannot afford to provide computing facilities so after a successful deployment of 13,000 Fedora Linux systems from a government grant, plans are underway to roll out another 10,000 based on Ubuntu.”

“We wanted to use Fedora 5 and it went all the way to office of [the Filipino] President and they kept passing it around saying ‘why would they offer something for free, and how would they support and teach it’,” Gonzalez said. “The project dragged on for four to five months to a point where Microsoft matched the price by offering Windows XP for $US20 a copy and throwing in Office for $US30, but we still came out cheaper. Microsoft was also providing free training to high school teachers.” Read the full article on ComputerWorld.Com found via SlashDot

C|Net: Open-source software rated: Ten alternatives you need

“Open source products comprise the work of many collaborators — sometimes thousands of them, and often separated by oceans. Each person works on small portions of a project, and anyone is welcome to contribute. The finished product will be available freely for anyone to download and, in most cases, modify.

All very touchy-feely, carey-sharey, but why should you care about open source? You should care because

IT Pros: If Not Vista, Maybe Macs

Vista can’t seem to get a break. Yet another survey points to large numbers of businesses with no adoption plans. Oh yeah, Vista malaise may benefit Mac OS X.  44 percent of the IT professionals said that they had considered deploying a non-Windows operating system. Ninety percent of all respondents had concerns or reservations about Vista migration. Among those IT professionals considering alternatives, 9 percent had already started non-Windows deployments, with another 25 percent planning to do so within a year. Read the full article on Microsoft-Watch.Com

Wal-Mart now carrying Linux PCs for $198.00

The Everex Green gPC TC2502 includes popular applications from Google, Mozilla, Skype and OpenOffice.org. It runs gOS Initial G, which in turn is based on Ubuntu Linux 7.10 The gOS operating system features a simple and intuitive Linux Enlightenment E17 desktop interface with a Google-centric theme. The system comes with a lifetime of free updates and revisions.

At the heart of the gPC TC2502 is an energy-efficient 1.5GHz, VIA C7-D processor. This CPU draws less than 2W on average (with a maximum of 20W). Operating at a mere 28dB, the gPC also ranks as the quietest Everex desktop computer ever produced. It also includes 512MB of system memory, 80GB hard disk drive and DVD-ROM/CD-RW optical drive. The system also comes with six USB 2.0 ports; an RJ45 Ethernet port; an RJ11 port; and a serial and parallel port. Read the full article on DesktopLinux.Com

UK Schools warned off Microsoft deal.

The UK computer agency Becta is advising schools not to sign licensing agreements with Microsoft because of alleged anti-competitive practices.

…a spokesman for Becta said the problem was that Microsoft required schools to have licences for every PC in a school that might use its software, whether they were actually doing so or running something else. Read the full article on BBC News (via Slashdot)

New York Times: The Next Leap for Linux

Dell is testing the waters with a Linux-equipped notebook computer, in a challenge to Microsoft and Apple. Dell’s Linux PCs are cheaper than computers with Microsoft’s Vista operating system because Dell does not need to pay a licensing fee. Read the full article on NYTtimes.Com

Yelvington: I hate Windows Vista

…She managed to find Google, run a search for Firefox, and click on all the right link to make the download happen. But Vista won’t let her install it, popping up an alert that it’s not digitally signed by Microsoft.

Signed by Microsoft?

As has been noted, that’s not security. It’s business terrorism — frightening the user in order to protect Microsoft’s business interests. Read more.

Windows Guy Tries Ubuntu 7.04: Part 2 - Two Weeks Later

In the end I’ve been very impressed with Ubuntu. After two weeks of banging under the hood and using it as often as I can, it has shown itself to be stable, fast and customizable. Hardware support is solid and application support is good. It is a tweakers paradise. I can work at work and and home. If I had to I could use it as my day-to-day system and not have many regrets. I’m still not as comfortable with it as I am in Windows, but I’m getting there. I may not be a convert yet, but I am a fan. Read more.

Wal-mart to offer low-cost Linux PC as Vista alternative?

Wal-Mart will sell a sub-$300 “back-to-school” PC this fall pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows Vista and OpenOffice.org productivity software. The Everex GC3502 PC is based on a 1.7GHz Via C7-D processor, and will be available later this year preloaded with Ubuntu Linux.

read more | digg story

Amazon.Com: Ubuntu outselling Vista

“If you guys want free chairs, you should check out the Redmond parking lot.” Amazon’s numbers show more people are buying the DVD version of the free Ubuntu Linux than Windows Vista. Yet more validation of the statement Vista sucks. Read more.

Now three Linux vendors won’t sign patent deals with Microsoft

For a while, it was looking like Microsoft threats (and money) would convince a substantial number of Linux distribution providers to sign “interoperability and IP protection” pacts with Redmond. But as of today, the “deal/no deal” count is even. Read more.

Windows Marketplace Presents: Ubuntu

Ubuntu had been hosted on the Windows Marketplace. Although it’s listing doesn’t seem to be counted when sorting by popularity. It fixes most of the bugs present in Windows and adds some extra functionality.

I wonder if it will do as well on Windows Maketplace as it’s doing on Amazon?

read more | digg story

Five Ways Intel Will Weaken Microsoft

Intel has opened its wallet again for open source, this time pumping money into Centric CRM. Intel’s open source interests reveal five key trends that should worry Microsoft and other closed-source software providers. Read more.

Spice up Windows - Replace it with Linux

Alex writes on his blog: “I decided to write a series of essays about moving from Windows system to a Linux one. There are plenty resources online that can help with this transition. I just thought to make an easy one and with explaining each step of doing so.” Read more.

Ubuntu founder defuses rumors of impending Microsoft deal

In an announcement made in a personal blog entry, Mark Shuttleworth-Ubuntu patron and benevolent dictator for life-puts an authoritative end to speculation that Canonical or the Ubuntu project could be considering a patent agreement with Microsoft. Read more.

Is Microsoft Trying to Kill PC Gaming?

Judging by the lackluster game releases and the attempt to suck the blood from PC gamers with “Games for Windows Live,” it starts feeling like Microsoft is doing all it can to actually kill PC gaming. Maybe my ideas will make no sense to them, or they’re just plain stupid ideas, but at some point, Microsoft needs to “cowboy up” and get serious about this. Because frankly, if it wasn’t for gaming, a whole lot of us would already have Macs, or be running Ubuntu Linux and never looking back. Read more.

How to make Ubuntu Linux look like Mac OS X

I have noticed that many people try to imitate Mac OSX Tiger’s look with their current operating system. No matter is it Windows or Linux. I’m one of those people and this is my atteption to make Ubuntu Linux look like OSX Tiger. I use Ubuntu simply because it is the best distribution of the best operating system. Read more.

PCAdvisor.Co.Uk: Mac, PC, or Linux? Your next operating system.

Here, we’ll look at whether you should stick with Windows XP, make the move to Vista or perhaps try something entirely different. Whatever you regard as the most important aspect of your day-to-day computing experience - security, usability, software support or appearance - we’ve got the right system for your needs. Read more.

Product Loyalty: Consumers mistake Familiarity with Superiority

Researchers suggest that a cognitive lock-in occurs when users become familiar enough with a product’s interface to not have to think about using it. Their tests suggest that people mistake this familiarity with product superiority.

read more | digg story

60 Days With Ubuntu Linux (A Switchers Review.)

I have been using Ubuntu for approximately 2 months now. This has been a fairly monogamous relationship, I think I booted Windows all of twice, mostly because I had to go to a specific site that uses IE7 streaming capabilities. I know I can install IE7 in Ubuntu, but I am not that devious. So, how does it feel like?

read more | digg story

Duncan Riley: I hate Vista already

I’m tempted to download Ubuntu and be done with Windows altogether, or even the hacked version of Mac OSX that is suppose to run on a normal PC Read more.

Microsoft doesn’t want you to see this. [Video]

The fact is Microsoft is scared of open source Linux. And they should be. If the average computer user knew they could have something far far superior to Windows Vista, ran on their existing PCs, and that it sold for $0.00, think about how many people would drop Windows in a heartbeat.

Running OSX and Windows XP on Ubuntu [video]

So what exactly IS this Linux thing you keep hearing about? What is Ubuntu? Well to put it simply, Linux is a free alternative to Windows. And Ubuntu is a fancy version of Linux. This video shows just how fancy it is.

Law.Com: Is Ubuntu the Linux OS for Law Firms?

To Vista or not to Vista; is that really the question? With Microsoft’s long-awaited operating-system upgrade, well … upon us … it might be time to consider alternatives. Apple’s fine Unix-based OS X is certainly an option, but if you’re balking at investing in the new hardware you’ll need to support Microsoft’s new graphically seductive, resource-gobbling OS, do you really want to replace all your Windows machines with Macs? Maybe it’s time to consider Linux — or rather a Linux.  Read more.

Dell - Technical details of Ubuntu offerings

“Before we announce the availability of Ubuntu 7.04 on select Dell client systems, I’d like to give an overview of what customers can expect from our initial Ubuntu offering.”

read more | digg story

I will buy Windows Vista if…

“Although I have learned to love Linux and Open Source (using it for 5 years now) and currently using K/Ubuntu for my productivity needs, I would still consider buying a legal copy of Windows Vista Ultimate if….. “

read more | digg story

Ubuntu Linux Vs. Windows Vista: The Battle For Your Desktop

The prevailing wisdom about Linux on the desktop runs something like this: “I’ll believe Linux is ready for the desktop as soon as you can give me a Linux distribution that even my grandmother can run.” Read More.

Dell’s Ubuntu PCs Will Be Less Expensive Than Windows PCs

“Ubuntu is free, and machines pre-installed with it will be less expensive than PCs of the same configuration that come with Windows, [Jeremy Bolen, a Dell spokesman] said. He declined to say by how much.”

read more | digg story

Bill Gates vs. Ubuntu: A Unique Financial Analysis

If you think the Kings of Redmond are scared of Google or Linux (in general) then check out the story behind the “$3 software.”

read more | digg story

Giving Vista the Boot - Back to Ubuntu Linux

Initially, besides the problems with sound and MS Office 2003, I thought Vista was a breath of fresh air, the interface was crisp and fresh with great visualisations. The novelty of this lasted about a week, after that it seemed to get in the way.

read more | digg story